Sliding clasp coupling elements

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a sliding clasp fastener comprising a pair of oppositely disposed stringer tapes each carrying along their respective longitudinal edges on one surface a series of discrete molded or die cast elements. Each element is provided in one surface with a recess or indent disposed for reception therein of a marginal edge portion of the stringer tape with a view to reducing the overall thickness of the fastener.

United States Patent [191 Takamatsu [451 Apr. 1, 1975 1 SLIDING CLASPCOUPLING ELEMENTS [75] Inventor: Ikuo Takamatsu, Uozu, Japan [73]Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha,

Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: July 31, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 384,176

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 3, 1972 Japan 47-91399 [52]US. Cl. 24/205.13 R, 24/205.16 R [51] Int. Cl A44b 19/04 [58] Field ofSearch 24/205.13 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,121,929 2/1964 Morin24/205.13 R 3,302,259 2/1967 Waldes 24/205.l3 R

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 571,691 9/1945 United Kingdom 24/205.13R

Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E.Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT There isdisclosed -a sliding clasp fastener comprising a pair of oppositelydisposed stringer tapes each carrying along their'respectivelongitudinal edges on one surface a series of discrete molded or diecast elements.

Each element is provided in one surface with a recess or indent disposedfor reception therein of a marginal edge portion of the stringer tapewith a view to reducing the overall thickness of the fastener.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SLIDING CLASP COUPLING ELEMENTS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates to sliding clasp fastenershaving opposed stringer tapes of the type wherein the fastener elementsare attached by injection or die casting to one surface of therespective stringer tapes.

There were known many fasteners carrying molded or die cast fastenerelements of a discrete formation which are fixed in position with theirleg portions mounted astride of the upper and lower surfaces of thestringer tapes along a longitudinal edge thereof. On account of thefastener elements being exposed on both surfaces of the stringer tapes,the conventional fasteners of this type were open to objection when usedon garments such as shirts, ladies one-piece wears and the like wherethe fastener elements are disposed in contact with the skin of thewearer.

More recent improvements have been introduced wherein the fastenerelements are mounted and fixed on only one surface of the stringer tapesso as to leave the other surface, facing toward the garment, free offastener elements. However, such one-sided fasteners have suffered fromthe disadvantages that the protrusion of fastener elements above the onesurface of the stringer tapes is literally so much greater, which inturn reduces the strength of adhesion of the fastener elements relativeto the stringer tapes and which further creates the tendency of suchprotruding elements to catch the garment or other objects therebydamaging the latter or the fastener itself. A simple solution to thisproblem would be to reduce the thickness of the fastener elements asmeasured in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the fastener. However,too thin fastener elements would result in reduced strength of couplingbetween the elements and would be liable to disengagement from oneanother.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide improved sliding clasp fasteners carrying on onesurface a series of molded or die cast coupling elements, which elementsincorporate structural features to render the same relatively thin yetwithout sacrifice in their coupling strength.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved sliding claspfasteners of the type described whose elements are secured firmly intoposition on one surface of the fastener.

These and other objects and features of the invention will appear clearfrom the following detailed description thereof taken together with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sliding clasp fastener embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reverse side of the fastener shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view ofa modification according to theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a half portion of another modifiedfastener according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsand FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular, there is shown a sliding clasp fastener10 which comprises a pair of oppositely disposed stringer tapes ll, 11each carrying along their respective longitudinal edges l2, 12 on onesurface a series of molded or die cast discrete coupling elements 13.Each element 13 consists of an upper coupling member 14 including atopposite sides protuberances l5, l5 and reduced neck portions or sockets16, I6 engageable with the protuberances l5, 15 of the upper couplingmember 14 on the companion stringer tape to establish a couplingengagement of the elements 13 in a horizontal direction and a lowercoupling member 17 substantially rectangular in shape with its outer endterminating short of the outer end of the upper coupling member 14 andengageable with the lower face of the upper coupling member 14 on thecompanion tape to establish a coupling engagement in a verticaldirection, as seen in a conventional structure. The coupling elements 13further consists of a leg portion 18 extending opposite to the couplingmembers 14, 17 and disposed for attachment to the longitudinal edge 12of the tape 11.

According to the invention, there is provided a cutaway recess or indent19 in, the lower surface of the leg portion 18, which recess is definedby a vertical wall 20 adjacent the lower coupling member 17 and a bottomwall 21 of the leg portion 18. The indent 19 has a depth approximatingthe thickness of the stringer tape 11 such that the end face 22 of thelongitudinal edge 12 of the tape 11 is held in abutting relation to thevertical wall 20 and the upper surface 11 of the tape 11 is superposedon and affixed to the bottom wall 21 of the leg portion 18, thussecuring the elements 13 firmly through two contact surfaces intoposition on the fastener 10. If necessary and when providing increasedadhering strength between the tape 11 and the element 13, there may beprovided a bead-like ridge 23 projecting longitudinally of the tape 11for engagement in a groove 24 formed in the bottom wall 21 of the legportion 18. To assure affixation of the elements 13 with greaterstability to the respective tapes 11, II, the elements 13 may bestitched as at 25 along the longitudinal edges 12, 12, for which purposethere is provided a stitch-receiving recess formed in the upper surfaceof each element 13 as shown, whereby the stitchings 25 run substantiallyparallel with the longitudinal ridge 23.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a modified form of element 13wherein the lower coupling member 17 is triangular in shape with itsapex 26 registering with the outer end of the upper coupling member 14.Another feature of this embodiment is found in the provision of a largerbead-like ridge 23 and a correspondingly large groove 24 for embracingthe same, whereby sufficient adhesion is obtained between the elementand the tape without the necessity of providing stitches 25.

FIG. 5 shows another moodification wherein the lower coupling member 17has a height H greater than the thickness T of the tape 11.

It will redound to the advantage of the invention to note that in spiteof the leg portion 18 of the element 13 being reduced in thickness torender the fastener relatively thin for the purposes hereinbeforestated, the strength of coupling engagement between the opposed elements13 is not affected because sufficient dimensions of the coupling membersl4, 17 are sustained, and that the elements 13 are firmly secured intoposition on the tape 11 by virtue of the dual surface contact providedby the indent 19 as aforesaid.

What is claimed is:

1. A sliding clasp fastener comprising, a pair of opposed stringertapes, and a plurality of coupling elements disposed along and securedto a pair of adjacent longitudinal edge portions of said stringer tapeson corresponding upper surfaces of said tapes, wherein each of saidcoupling elements comprises;

an upper coupling member having an upper surface;

a lower coupling member underlying said upper coupling member and havinga lower surface, said upper surface and said lower surface defining athickness of said coupling element; and

a leg portion integral with said upper coupling member and said lowercoupling member and extending therefrom, said leg portion having anupper surface even with said upper surface of said upper couplingmember, and a lower surface, said leg portion having a thicknesssubstantially equal to said upper coupling member thickness, said lowercoupling member terminating at a rear edge portion, said rear edgeportion together with said lower surface of said leg portion defining anindentation having a depth approximately equal to a thickness of saidstringer tapes and comprising a surface contacting the upper surface ofone of said tapes and said edge portion contacting a longitudinal edgeof said one of said tapes.

2. A sliding clasp fastener according to claim 1 wherein said couplingelements are die-cast.

3. A sliding clasp fastener according to claim 1 wherein said couplingelements are molded.

4. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said legportion has formed in the leg portion upper surface a recess foraccommodating stitches that secure the elements to the tape.

5. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein there isprovided a groove in the first surface of said indentation forengagement with a correspondingly shaped bead-like ridge projecting fromthe upper surface of the tape.

6. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said lowercoupling member is rectangular in shape and has an outer end terminatingshort of an outer end of said upper coupling member.

7. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said lowercoupling member is triangular in shape and has its apex registering withthe outer end of said upper coupling member.

8. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein the thicknessof said lower coupling member is greater than the thickness of thestringer tape.

1. A sliding clasp fastener comprising, a pair of opposed stringertapes, and a plurality of coupliNg elements disposed along and securedto a pair of adjacent longitudinal edge portions of said stringer tapeson corresponding upper surfaces of said tapes, wherein each of saidcoupling elements comprises; an upper coupling member having an uppersurface; a lower coupling member underlying said upper coupling memberand having a lower surface, said upper surface and said lower surfacedefining a thickness of said coupling element; and a leg portionintegral with said upper coupling member and said lower coupling memberand extending therefrom, said leg portion having an upper surface evenwith said upper surface of said upper coupling member, and a lowersurface, said leg portion having a thickness substantially equal to saidupper coupling member thickness, said lower coupling member terminatingat a rear edge portion, said rear edge portion together with said lowersurface of said leg portion defining an indentation having a depthapproximately equal to a thickness of said stringer tapes and comprisinga surface contacting the upper surface of one of said tapes and saidedge portion contacting a longitudinal edge of said one of said tapes.2. A sliding clasp fastener according to claim 1 wherein said couplingelements are die-cast.
 3. A sliding clasp fastener according to claim 1wherein said coupling elements are molded.
 4. A sliding clasp fasteneras defined in claim 1 wherein said leg portion has formed in the legportion upper surface a recess for accommodating stitches that securethe elements to the tape.
 5. A sliding clasp fastener as defined inclaim 1 wherein there is provided a groove in the first surface of saidindentation for engagement with a correspondingly shaped bead-like ridgeprojecting from the upper surface of the tape.
 6. A sliding claspfastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said lower coupling member isrectangular in shape and has an outer end terminating short of an outerend of said upper coupling member.
 7. A sliding clasp fastener asdefined in claim 1 wherein said lower coupling member is triangular inshape and has its apex registering with the outer end of said uppercoupling member.
 8. A sliding clasp fastener as defined in claim 1wherein the thickness of said lower coupling member is greater than thethickness of the stringer tape.